Voting-machine.



J. H. McELROY.

VOTING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1897.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

rnz NORRIS PETERS 1:0,, wAsHmmuN. n. c.

J. H. MQELROY.

VOTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION rmm SEPTJO, 1897.

909, 1 05. Patented Jan. 5, 1909. I f 2 sums-sans! 2.

JOHN H. MCELROY, OF ROSSVILLE, ILLINOIS.

VOTING-MACHINE Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1909.

Application filed September 10v 1897. Serial No. 651,183.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN H. McELRoY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rossville, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is concerned with voting machines of the type adapted to be used in general elections, and is designed to produce a machine of the class described that shall be capable of meeting all the requirements of such an election, including the capability of indicating a straight ballot by a single movement by the selecting apparatus of the machine, if desired, or a scratched ballot by a subsequent manipulation.

My invention is concerned also with certain other improvements specifically pointed out in the claims which may be applied to voting machines generally, and are not limited to the specific type shown.

I have embodied my present invention in the structure shown in the accompanying sheet of drawings in which the same reference letters are used to designate identical parts in all the figures, of Which Figure 1 is a sectional elevation on the line 11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the front portion of the structure with the cover of the casing removed. Fig. 3 is a section of the front of the machine on the line 33 of Fig. 1, the support and registers not being in section and Fig. 4 is a view in section similar to Fig. 1 but with the key in its operated position; Fig. 5 is a plan view in section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, but with the wheels not in section, and with the right hand push .iece operated instead of the middle one; *ig. 6 is an inverted plan view on the line 66 of Fig. 4-; Fig. 7 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the locking bars as seen from the rear of the machine and looking upward toward them; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of one of the push pieces seen from the right hand side thereof; and Fig. 9 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale, of the locking mechanism in section on the line 99 of Fig. 4, showing the relationship of the parts in three of the positions they may assume. Fig. 10 is an elevation of one of the registers with the front of the casing removed.

The structure in which my invention is embodied consists of a casing A, suitably shaped as seen, to snugly inclose the operating mechanism. Journaled in bearings in the ends of the casing is a shaft B, which has mounted thereon a series of wheels C, whose peripheries serve as supports for a series of ballot indicating devices, shown in the present application as being registers DR, DD, DP, DL, and DI, employed for the candidates of the Republican, Democratic, Populist, and Labor parties, and for ballots for irregular candidates respectively. These are arranged from left to right in the order indicated, one wheel being devoted to each party, and the registers for the candidates for the same oflice being arranged in the same horizontal line. The wheel CIis rigidly mounted on the shaft B, while the remaining wheels 0 are splined on the shaft B so as to rotate therewith, but to have a movement longitudinally thereof for a reason to be explained subsequently.

The re isters D (see Fig. 10) each consists of a shalIow casing in which are mounted, upon a stud E, a series of register disks U, T and H, separated from each other by washers (not shown) splined upon the stud E to prevent motion being communicated from one disk to another by friction. These disks have the customary ten notches, and the digits one to nine, inclusive, and zero, are inscribed thereon between the notches. These disks vary in size, as seen, and have the customary deep notches between the digits 1 and 2 on the units and tens disks, so that when they pass from nine to zero at the si ht opening, normally covered by a slide and indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 10, the actuating dog F will be permitted to engage the next higher wheel and carry it forward one tooth to carry the tens or hundreds, as the case may be. he dog F is pivoted by a yoke to a sliding rod G, one end of which projects from the end of the casing some distance, and in operation is forced into the casing, being forced out of the casing at the opposite end an equal distance against the stress of the helically-coiled expanding-spring J surrounding the rod G, and secured thereto at its lefthand end. To prevent the turning of the rod, I conveniently cut away one half of its right-hand end for the distance that its lefthand end projects from the casing, and shape its a erture in the casing accordingly, and the shou der K formed by its cut-away portion serves as a stop to prevent its over-operation, while the pin L which passes through the rod prevents the spring J from displacing it at the other end. The dog F has upon its rear face two triangular lugs M and N (shown in dotted lines) in the planes of the disks U and T, respectively, which together with the point 0 of the dog F in the plane of the disk l-I, cooperate with the notches and deep notches in the disks U, T and II, to count up the reciprocations of the rod. G, as is common in the deep-notch carrying registers. The dog F is supported out of operative position at rest and during the major portion of its stroke by the pin 1 projecting therefrom and resting upon the bar Q fastened to the ends of the casing. The depression in the bar permits the dog F to descend by gravity, aided by a spring, if desired, into operative position during a sufficient portion of the stroke of the rod Ur to actuate the register one notch. A series of three strong leaf-springs Y resting in the teeth of the disks U, T and II, serve to prevent any backward movement and over rotation thereof.

To operate the sliding rods G and at the same time advance the series of wheels so as to bring forward another row of registers to the operating position, I provide a series of pi sh pieces S, shown in l igs. 1 and 2, which consist of a portion W normall projecting oLtside the casing, and an en arged inner portion, which for convenience of COI1St1L.C- tion I make of three horizontal layers fastened together. lhe i pper layer V consists of the projecting portion W and the interior portion which terminates in a wedge, the right hand face of which serves to cam in whatever rod G may come in its path, when the pi sh piece is shoved inwar ls. dle portion X is thicker than the others, and its inner end and right hand side terminates in an incline Y, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, which when the pi sh piece S is shoved inwards, takes over the exposed portion of the rod G in its path, and carries the rod and its register downwards a distance eqral to the width of a register. 'Ihe inner left hand side of this middle portion X is not cut away, bit has its corner TOLIKlGCl off as at U, as clearly seen in loig. 2. Thu s the entire s. pport with its registers is moved one space, and is held advanced by the broad detent Z pivoted in the framework, and cotnter weighted so as to hold its inner end resting against the projecting portion of the rods G of the registers DI, as shown indotted lines in I ig. 1, which are tln s made to serve a p. r pose ordinarily filled by ratchet teeth. The owest portion B of the pi sh piece S terminates in a notch C, which iipon the complete inward movement ofthe pi sh piece cooperates with the pr sh iece G i'st cammed down, and serves to ock it while the pr sh piece S is held inward, as seen in Fig. 4 and also to prevent any overthrow. In order to compela complete stroke of the p. sh pieces S in both directions, I place rpon the right hand side of the portion X a series of teeth D 1 he mid- I prevented.

(shown in Figs. 5 and 8) which cooperate with a dog E pivoted to a lug A on the plate F, which passes the length of the machine and being fastened in the ends thereof supports the ptsh pieces S. The dog E has fas tened thereto a leaf spring G held in position by slotted lr gs H on the plate F. 'l he dog E and the teeth D cooperate together in the well known manner to compel a complete stroke in both directions, and need no further explanation. A coiled spring 5 fits in a sritable elongated recess K in the left hand side of the portion X and is fastened at one end to the front of the casing and at the other to the pt sh piece so that when the pt sh piece is operated the spring J is put under tension which reti ms the prsh piece S w ien released. It will be seen that the rod G of the register jiist above the one engaged by the incline Y will be blO't ght down into position so as to be actrated by the right hand face of the wedge of the portion V daring the completion of its inward movement.

To prevent the sinr. tELHGO'LIS operation of two or moreof the push pieces and the conseqtent voting for two candioates for the same oriice, I provide the bar In which rests upon the i pper face of the portions V of the p1.sh pieces S, and is held in position and allowed a limited movement longitudinally ay the pins M fastened in the Lpper portion N of the casing playing in the slots 0. T 10 bar L has a series of downwardly projecting flanges P which are separated from each other by spaces jrst the width of the pi sh pieces V, which enter their corresponding spaces when operated. It will be seen from 1* igs. 1 and 5 that the flanges between which these spaces are left are not so wide as the distance between the pieces V, so that when any of the pieces V are pr shed in (the pieces at the ends taking against the ends of their respective flanges) all the other spaces being oiit of register with their peces V, operation of another one, or of two sinr ltaneor sly, is The portion N of the casing is made of glass and it will be seen from Fig. 1 that owing to the bar L and the crrved portion of the casing, only the line of registers in position to be operated next by the deression of the p; sh pieces can be seen. Each of these registers has painted or otherwise marked rpon its face the name of the oflice to which it is devoted, the candidate therefor, and the name of his party, so as to inform the voter for whom he is voting when he operates the posh piece to the right of any of the registers. I

In order to cast a straight party ballot, it is necessary to provide some means for actuating all the registers upon the wheel devoted to Republican, Democratic, Prohibition or Labor candidates whichever may be desired. This might be accomplished by having a piece arranged alongside the push pieces rods G,

and movable against "them so as to operate all of them, but I prefer to make the wheels movable as above stated. At a suitable distance to the lett of each of the regular party the wheels CR, CD, CP, and CL, I place a partition Q just deep enough to engage the sliding pieces G when the wheel is moved to the lert. The upper portions of the partitions are conveniently made integral with the lid, as seen in Big. 1, and the lower portions are fastened to the sides and bottom of the casing. These wheels are, as above stated, splined on the shaft B and are movable to the left from the position shown to where their left hand edges will abut against the partitions Q. For ease of movement, I interpose antifriction rollers, not shown, between the wheels and the shaft, and in order to prevent the tendency to bind resulting from the pressure being applied at one side, I make the hubs R as long as possible. A collar S rigidly fastened to the shart to the right of each wheel prevents their being displaced in that direction. In order to move the wheels .to the left, I place upon the right hand side of each at the desired point a cam lug T, which when the machine is at initial osition will be struck by the rounded end U of the central portion X of the push piece S immediately to the right of it, it operated, and the wheel slid to the left thus operating all the rods G on that wheel by contacting with the partition Q. At the same time the cam portion Y will take over the piece G of the adjoining wheel to the right and carry it down thus advancing the set of wheels one space, and the right hand wedge portion of the operated push piece S also operates the rod G of the corresponding register on the wheel to the right which thus registers a straight ticket ballot in another way. This register on the adjoining wheel to the one which is moved might very well be omitted, saving only the rod G and its spring acting as usual to advance the support. As the cam lugs T are only in the one position, it will be seen that it is impossible to register a straight ticket ballot except from the initial position.

In order to prevent the subsequent operation of the candidate registers after the operation of casting a straight ticket vote, and thus beating the machine, I provide means whereby the operation of voting a straight ticket ballot locks the machine from any further operation. This might be substantially that employed in the machine of my companion application No. 651,182, which I expect to issue simultaneously herewith, but I prefer to use the one herein shown which is actuated by the longitudinal movement of any of the wheels. As will be seen from Figs. 1 and 3, I make in the plate F two channels, and in the front one I place a sliding bar V with tour upwardly extending lugs W which normally rest just to the right of the lower portion B of the push pieces and tend to be drawn to the left in front of these portions to lock the push pieces from movement, by the coiled spring In (see higs. 1 and 6) fastened at one end to a projection Y on the right hand end of the bar W which passes through a slot V in the casing plate 1*, and at the other end to the plate 1*". This movement of the bar V is prevented by a sliding bar Z placed in the rear channel, which is normally held to the right by a coiled spring A, stronger than the spring X, fastened at one end to a lug Z on the bar Z projecting through 1* the plate t" as seen in Fig. 6 and at the other end, to the plate B" A finger B projecting l'orwardly from the bar Z into the path of a lug V on the under side of the bar V serves to prevent the movement of the bar V unless permitted by the movement of the bar Z. A series of lingers projects rearwardly from the bar Z and just engages the wheels C, but not sufliciently to interfere with the movement of the rods G during the rotary movement of the wheels. It will thus be seen that upon the longitudinal movement of any of the wheels 0 in voting the straight ticket, that the bar Z will be drawn to the left against the resistance of the spring A The bar V would follow it immediately but for the fact that the lug W adjacent the operated push piece will be detained by the side of the push piece until it has been completely operated when the cutaway portion of the push piece as seen at D in big. 1, which extends across the width of the push piece, comes opposite the lug W and ermits the bar V to be drawn to the left the distance that the wheel has been moved longitudinally, thus locking the operated push piece in and the others out. As but one push piece can be operated at one time, this completely locks the machine from further operation.

If instead of voting a straight ticket the voter wishes to cast a mixed ballot, he first operates the push piece S to the extreme left. This, as will be seen, simply moves the support forward, and actuates the first register DR, which it ill show the number of mixed ballots cast. The candidate registers for the various oflices will then appear in succession, and he votes for such as he chooses, by ac tuatin the push piece to the left of each register. Jhen the list of candidates is exhausted, the lug E secured to the wheel CI contacts with the lug F which is adjustably secured to the right hand end of the casing, and prevents any further movement of the support. A strong spiral spring G is fastened at one end to the collar S between the wheels CD and CP and at the other end by means of a link to the rear of the casing. It will thus be seen that the spring G tends to throw the support and the wheels back to initial posi- 130 tion but is prevented by the detent Z taking against the rods G.

From a consideration of the foregoing mode of operation and the structure" by which it is accomplished, it will be apparent that I provide a series of mechanisms, by the single operation of one of which a straight ticket may be indicated for any party chosen, and one of which must be operated before a split or scratched ticket can be subsequently indicated. This enforces upon the attention of the voter the possibility and desirability of voting a straight ticket by a single operation of the selecting mechanism, even if he subsequently decides to vote a split ticket by a further manipulation of the machine.

To reset the device, I employ a cord or wire J fastened at one end to the detent Z and having its other end passing through the rear of the casing where it may be operated manually by the judges of the election, or automatically by the voter by means of the entrance or exit door, the only limitation being that it must be so arranged that it cannot be repeatedly operated by the voter during his occupancy of the booth. If a mixed ballot has been cast, the pulling of the cord simply withdraws the detent Z from the rods G, and permits the spring to throw the support and wheels back to initial position, t e force of the blow being broken by the customary dash pot, not shown. It will be understood that I might return this positively by some mechanism such as a rack meshing with a pinion on the shaft B. If however a straight ballot has been cast, the pulling of the cord J not only releases the detent Z, but a cam surface K on the end of it, shown best in Fig. 9, takes against a lug L projecting rearwardly and downwardly from the projection Y on the end of the bar V, which has been brought to the intermediate dotted line position shown in Fig. 9' and forces the bar V still further to the left against the resistance of the bar Z and the spring A the bar Z necessarily being carried with it. The cam is so located and shaped as to carry the bar V to the left sufficiently to clear the operated push piece from the lug W and permit its return to its normal position under the stress of the spring J. As soon as this has occurred, the lugs VJ, being free to move to the right, the spring A moves the bar Z and consequently the bar V to the right to their normal positions. Likewise, as soon as the push piece S is out of the way, the wheel which has been moved longitudinally returns under the stress of the springs surrounding the rods G, and the shaft and its wheels move back to initial position under stress of the spring G In this manner, the machine is reset, ready for another operation.

If it is desired to vote for a candidate not regularly nominated by any party, and convision is made therefor by the series of irregular balloting devices DI mounted on the right hand wheel C. These devices are identical with those of my former application above referred to, and need no further description and illustration here. If it is desired to submit any question or constitutional amendment to the people requiring a yea and nay vote, I use registers on two of the wheels, one of which will be the wheel GI, arranged in order before the candidate registers, and by omitting the corresponding rods G on the other wheels, the voter is compelled to vote yes or no on all the propositions before he can vote for any of the candidates, which is a" valuable feature of my invention, as he is apt to' neglect to vote on the questions or amendments although usually anxious to register his choice of all the candidates resented.

It will be noticed t l at in order to cast a straight ticket ballot the voter must operate the push piece to the right of the wheel containing the candidates desired, while to vote for the candidates on a mixed ticket, the push piece to the left must be operated. In order to avoid confusion, I make the wheels and registers of different colors throughout, and place an index hand on each straight ticket register pointing to the right, while I place an index hand pointing to the left on all the candidate registers, thus indicating which push piece is to be operated to actuate the register desired. I might accomplish the same result by having all the registers of a party of its especial color, except the i one visible when a straight ticket ballot can be cast, and then moving the color and the corresponding markings one place to the right, and instructing the voter to always operate the push piece to the left of the register they wish to actuate.

As in casting a straight ticket ballot, it is necessary to put under tension all the springs surrounding the rods'G, as well as the springs J and A I may employ a lever M as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Figs. 4 and 5, to assist in pushing the pieces S.

While I have shown my invention as embodied in a certain specific structure,-it will be understood that it is capable of wide modifications, and that I do not desire to be limited in the interpretation of the following claims except as may be'necessitated by the state of the prior art; and that some features of my invention are not limited to the specific type shown in which the registers are actuated directly by the voter upon the adjustment of the selecting mechanism, but may also be employed in connection with the other types.

I claim:

1. Ina voting machine, the combination of a movable support having plural series of sequently not provided with a register, pro- 1 ballot indicating devices thereon grouped indicating devices of each of said office groups successively in connection with the move-- ment of said support or for actuating all of the ballot indicating devices of one of said party groups simultaneously, and mechanism for preventing their successive actuation when they have been operated simultaneously, or their simultaneous actuation when any of them have been actuated successively.

2. In a voting machine, the combination of a movable support having plural series of ballot indicating devices thereon grouped according to ofiices and according to parties, with means for actuating one of the ballot indicating devices of each of said ofiice groups in connection with the movement of said support or for actuating all of the ballot indicating devices of one of said party groups simultaneously when the support is at a certain position, and mechanism for preventing the actuation of any of said ballot indicating devices when any party group has been actuated simultaneously, or the simultaneous actuation of any party group after any of the ballot indicating devices have been actuated singly.

3. In a voting machine, the combination of a movable support having plural series of ballot indicating devices thereon grouped according to ofiices and according to parties, with means for actuating one of the ballot indicating devices of each of said ofiice groups as it passes a certain point in connection with the movement of said support, or for actuating all of the ballot indicating devices of one of said party groups simultaneously when said support is at a certain position, and mechanism for preventing the actuation of any of said ballot indicating devices singly after a party group has been actuated simultaneously, or for preventing their simultaneous actuation after any of them have been actuated singly.

d. In a voting machine, the combination of a movable support having plural series of ballot indicating devices thereon grouped according to offices and according to parties, with means for actuating one of the ballot indicating devices of each of said ofiice groups at the time the support is moved one step to bring another group to actuating position, and for actuating all of the ballot indicating devices of any one of said party groups simultaneously and for advancing said support, and mechanism for preventing the actuation of any of said ballot indicating devices singly when any of said party groups have been actuated simultaneously, or for preventing the simultaneous actuation of any of said party groups when any of the ballot indicating devices have been actuated singly.

5. In a voting machine, the combination of a movable support having a step-by-step movement and having plural series of ballot indicating devices thereon grouped according to oifices and according to parties, with means for actuating one of the ballot indicating devices of each of said oflice groups in connection with the step-by-step movement of said support, or for actuating all of the ballot indicating devices of one of said party groups simultaneously, and a lock for preventing the machine from operation subsequently to the simultaneous actuation of the ballot indicating devices of any one of said party groups.

6. In a voting machine, the combination of a movable support, having a step-by-step movement and having plural series of ballot indicating devices thereon grouped according to oth'ces and according to parties, with means for actuating one of the ballot indicating devices of each of said office groups singly in connection with the stepby-step movement of said support or for actuating all of the ballot indicating devices of one of said party groups simultaneously, and looking mechanism for preventing the movement of said support after the simultaneous operation of any one of said party groups or after the operation of any one of a certain ofiice group.

7. In a voting machine, the combination of the movable support, the series of ballot indicating devices thereon having the sliding actuating rods, with a piece arranged to contact with all of said rods when in a given position, and means for contacting said rods and said piece tp actuate all the ballot indicating devices simultaneously, substantially as described.

8. In a voting machine, the combination of the movable support, the series of ballot indicating devices thereon having the sliding actuating rods, with a piece arranged to contact with all the said rods when in a given position, and means for moving all the ballot indicating devices simultaneously against said piece to actuate said ballot indicating devices, substantially as described.

9. In a voting machine, the combination of the registers grouped according to parties, a group of irregular balloting devices, said registers and irregular balloting devices also being grouped according to otiices, with means for simultaneously moving bodily all the registers of any party series to cast a straight-ticket ballot, operating pieces for actuating the registers and irregular ballot ing devices singly, and mechanism whereby the moving of a party series o1 registers prevents the subsequent operation of any registers or irregular balloting devices, and the actuation of a register or irregular balloting device singly prevents the subsequent movof the plural series of candidate registesr 11. In a voting machine, the combination of the movable support having the plural series of candidate registers thereon grouped according to parties, with an operating member to actuate by one operation only one of the registers of a party series or all of the registers of another party series, according to the position of the support.

12. In a voting machine, the combination of the movable support, the plural series of candidate ballot indicating devices thereon grouped according to parties, with an operating member to advance said support andsimultaneously actuate any one of the ballot indicating devices 01 a party series or all 01 the ballot indicating devices of another party series, according to the position of the support.

13. In a voting machine, the combination of the ballot indicating device, an operating member therefor, With a piece operating to lock said member upon the actuation of the ballot indicating device and the movement of said piece, and resetting means to release said member by the further movement of said piece, substantially as described.

14:. In a voting machine, the combination of the ballot indicating device, an operating member therefor, With a piece moved upon actuation of said ballot indicating device to lock said member, and further movable to release said member, substantially as described.

15. In a voting machine, the combination of the support having the plural series of ballot indicating devices thereon grouped according to party and according to olhce, With means for actuating all the ballot indicating devices of a party series simultaneously, a locking piece advanced by said means to prevent further operation, and means for fur ther advancing said locking piece to reset the ma chine, substantially as described.

16. In a voting machine the combination of the series of ballot indicating devices, the support movable to actuate all of said ballot indicating devices simultaneously, With means for movin said support, and locking mechanism actuated by the movement of said support to lock the machine from further operation.

17. In a voting machine, the combination of the series of ballot indicating devices, the support movable to actuate all of said ballot indicating devices simultaneously, With means for moving said support, and a looking piece moved by said support to lock the machine from further operation, and further movable to release the machine, substantially as described.

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18. In a votin machine the combination a of the ballot indicating devices, with means for casting a straight or mixed ballot, and a locking member moved by the casting of a straight ballot to lock the machine from further operation and further movable to release the machine, substantially as described.

19. In a voting machine, the combination of the ballot indicating devices, with means for casting a straight or mixed ballot, and a locking bar moved by the casting of a straight ballot to engage said means and lock them from further movement, and further movable to release the machine.

20. In a voting machine, the combination of the movable support, the series of ballot indicating devices thereon, with an operating piece for actuating any one of said ballot indicating devices singly or all simultaneously, depending upon the position of the support, and a motor operated bar permitted to lock said operating pieces upon the actuation of all of said ballot indicating devices.

21. In a voting machine, the combination of the locking bar With the operating piece, and the resetting piece movable to reset the machine and further advance said bar to release the machine, substantially as described 22. In a voting machine, the combination oi the series oi ballot indicating devices, operating pieces movable to cast a strai ht or a mixed ballot, W'th a locking bar tGIlLdllg to lock said operating pieces, a second bar restraining said locking bar but permitting it to move upon the casting of a straight ballot.

23. In a voting machine, the combination of the series of ballot indicating devices, operating pieces movable to cast a straight or mixed ballot, with a locking bar tending to lock said operating pieces, a second bar restraining the movement of said locking bar, but moved to permit the movement of said locking bar upon the casting of a straight ballot.

241. In a voting machine, the combination of the series of ballot indicating devices, operating pieces movable to cast strai l'it or a mixed ballot, with a locking piece having a spring pressing it in looking direction, and second piece having a stronger spring pressing it against the locking piece and moved against its spring upon the casting of a straight ticket.

25. In a voting machine, the combination of the series of ballot indicating devices, operating pieces movable to cast a straight or a mixed ballot, vrith a locking bar having a spring pressing it in loci-ting direction, a second bar having a stronger sprin pressing it against the locking bar and moved against its spring upon the castin of a straight ballot, and a resetting device ror moving said loel= ing bar against the second bar, substantially as described.

26. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers grouped according to offices and according to parties, and capable of individual operation, of means for simultaneously moving all the registers of a certain party group only, and mechanism for positively advancing the units wheel of each register one step by such movement and thereby operating them to vote a straight ticket.

27. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers grouped according to offices and according to parties, and capable of individual operation, of means for simultaneously moving all the registers of a certain party group only, mechanism for positively advancing the units wheel of each register one step by such movement and thereby operating them to vote a straight ticket, and means for preventing the simultaneous operation of more than the required number of registers in any oflice group.

28. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers grouped according to offices and according to parties, and capable of individual operation, of means for simultaneously moving all the registers of a certain party group only, mechanism for positively advancing the units wheel of each register one step by such movement and thereby operating them to vote a straight ticket, and means for preventing the simultaneous operation of more than the required number of registers in any office group, consisting of a bar with engaging surfaces thereon, and members moved by the individual operation of a register and engaging the bar to prevent the simultaneous movement of the corresponding member of another party.

29. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers grouped according to parties, of a member associated with each register the movement of which controls the operation thereof, a series of mechanisms by the single operation of one of which all the said members of the party chosen can be moved simultaneously, and connections between said mechanisms and members whereby one of said mechanisms must be operated before said members can be operated individually to vote a scratched ticket.

30. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers arranged in party columns and office rows, of a member associated with each register the movement of which controls the operation thereof, a series of mechanisms by the single operation of one of which all the said members of the party chosen can be moved simultaneously, and connections between said mechanisms and members whereby one of said mechanisms must be operated before said members can be operated individually to vote a scratched ticket.

31. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers grouped according to parties, of a member associated with each register the movement of which operates its register, a series of mechanisms by the single operation of one of which all the said members of the party chosen can be moved simultaneously, and connections between said mechanisms and members where by one of said mechanisms must be operated before said members can be operated individually to vote a scratched ticket.

32. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers grouped according to parties and oflices, of a series of mechanisms by a single operation of one of which a straight ballot may be indicated upon the registers for all the candidates of any party, and connections between said registers and mechanisms whereby one of the latter must be operated before a split ticket can be voted.

33. In a voting machine, the combination with the candidate registers grouped according to parties and oflices, of a series of mechanisms by a single operation of one of which the registers for all the candidates of any party may be operated, and connections between said registers and mechanisms whereby one of the latter must be operated before a split ticket can be voted.

34. In a voting machine, the combination with a movable frame, of the registers for all the candidates for a party rigidly secured thereon and having sliding actuating rods supported so as to prevent their having a swinging movement, mechanism arranged to contact with all of said rods for the registers of a party when the machine is operated for a straight ballot of that party, and means for simultaneously contacting said rods and mechanism to actuate all the registers of the party chosen by the movement of the registers.

35. In a voting machine, the combination with a movable frame, of the registers for all the candidates for a party rigidly secured thereon and having sliding actuating rods supported so as to prevent their having a swinging movement, mechanism arranged to contact with all of said rods for the registers of a party when the machine is operated for a straight ballot of that party, and means for moving all the registers simultaneously against said mechanism to actuate all the registers of the party chosen simultaneously.

36. In a voting machine, the combination with a movable frame, of the registers for all the candidates for a party rigidly secured thereon and having sliding actuating rods supported so as to prevent their having a swinging movement, mechanism arranged to contact with all of said rods for the registers of a party when the machine is operated for a straight ballot of that party, and means for moving the frame bodily to contact all of said rods of the party chosen with the mechanism to actuate all the registers of said p yi 37. In a voting machine, the combination With the movable support having a step-bystep movement, of the plural series of-bal-lot indicating devices thereon grouped according to parties, and means for operating any selected set of ballot-indicating devices by the step-by-step movement of the support, or-

for operating all the ballot-indicating devices of any party-group simultaneously.

38. 1n a voting machine, the combination With the movable support having a step-by- Step movement, of the plural series of ballotindicating devices thereon grouped according to parties, andmeans for operating any selected set of ballot-indicating devices by the step-by-st'ep movement of the support, or for operating all the ballot-indicating devices of any party-group simultaneously, and then locking the machine from additional operation.

JOHN H. MOELROY;

Witnesses:

J. O. CUNEGAN, CHAs. H. OoNsAuL. 

